John D. Weinland
7/22/22 John David Weinland, 79, of Heritage Village, died July 22 in Hospice Care at Waterbury Hospital. John was born in Bethlehem, PA on September 3, 1943. He was the eldest child of Dr. David and Elizabeth Weinland.
John David, known then as Dave, grew up in Springfield, MA, attended Classical High School immersed in music, organ, piano, French, mathematics, and shortwave radios. He then graduated from Yale University in 1965 where he was chairman of the Guild of Carillonneurs, regularly ringing the bells in Harkness Tower. He was a student of the composer, Mel Powell. Subsequently he received a Master’s degree from Yale School of Music in Composition and Organ. His compositions are unique, avant-garde, and challenging to performers using “sliding tones” and timing to blend sounds, chords, and instruments. He was presently working on an opera.
While at Yale he was a member of the Scroll and Key Society and stayed in close touch with these friends over the years. Although quiet, he was known to be generous in sharing technical help and friendship.
For many years, he was a General class FCC licensed Amateur Radio operator (call sign N1ATB) for the U.S. Army’s Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) where he instructed new members in shortwave radio emergency skills. They worked locally, nationally and internationally as an adjunct to normal DOD military communications. He was also a member of the Heritage Village Winshop Barn Radio Club.
He worked first for Wyatt Incorporate, then Williams Companies Incorporated and retired from Magellan Oil Co. He totally enjoyed interacting with the office personnel and the truckers.
When he retired, he became president of his condo organization for 3 years. He worked extensively with filming productions for the Village television station and loved photography.
He leaves behind his sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn and George Lordan of Gloucester, MA; his nephews and nieces: Joshua Lordan of Rockport, MA, Elizabeth Lordan DVM of Rockport, MA, Peter Lordan of Cambridge, MA and Rebecca Lordan Perret of Brugg, Switzerland and many kind and loving friends.
A musical/organ recital in honor of John is being planned for the community and his friends and family at United Church on the Green in New Haven (To be Announced). John loved playing the organ and this organ in particular.